Expanding broiler meat exports are expected to drive Russian meat and poultry exports beyond the significant mark of 1 million tonnes this year.
According to Sergey Dankvert, head of the Russian state veterinary body Rosselhoznadzor, Russian exports of meat and live animals showed promising growth during the first six months of 2025. “Last year, the [export] figure was 860,000 tonnes, but we are already capable of exporting 1 million tonnes of meat and finished products, offal, live animals, and products of animal origin [in 2025],” he stated at an industry event in Moscow.
Exporters Ramp Up Deliveries
Major Russian meat and poultry exporters are implementing robust strategies to enhance their export capabilities this year. Cherkizovo, the largest meat manufacturer in Russia, is projecting a 25% increase in sales to international markets. CEO Sergey Mikhailov shared this optimistic outlook during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Last year, exports constituted 70% of Cherkizovo’s broiler meat and accounted for 9% of revenue. The company’s turkey exports are also witnessing remarkable growth, with Mikhailov noting a 60% increase in the first quarter of 2025.
Cherkizovo’s primary export destinations include China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, and Belarus. Additionally, sales to Saudi Arabia surged by 350%, while exports to Uzbekistan increased by 200% last year.
Challenges in African Markets
Despite initiatives led by officials from the Russian Agricultural Ministry to export more poultry to Africa, results have been less than stellar. Mikhailov expressed concerns about the region, describing it as a “risky and low-margin direction,” noting that it accounted for merely 1% of total exports in the first quarter of 2025. He emphasized the need to monitor market conditions closely, as enhanced prospects would depend largely on the African population’s purchasing power.
Poultry Exports: A Significant Contributor
In 2024, Russian meat and poultry exports surged by 24%, reaching a record US$1.7 billion, according to estimates from Agroexport—a governmental agency focused on facilitating exports. Poultry exports alone amounted to US$800 million, constituting 48% of total sales.
Looking ahead, forecasts predict that Russian poultry and meat exports could double by 2030, potentially reaching US$3.6 billion annually.
